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Sharon Fries-Britt

It was a surprise to learn that I am the first African American female promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor to Full Professor in the College of Education. Holding this position in the history of the College, and the University, is an honor. I am certainly looking forward to more women of color being tenured and promoted in the College. While I encountered challenges in my journey to Full Professor, there was always more light than darkness, and I had the support of countless individuals.

Being selected as the first recipient of the Women of Color Award was quite frankly humbling. I had mentors on campus at the time that I would have selected over myself. I am not discounting my own contributions to the university; I just know that there were many individuals who could have easily taken my place.

2019
First African American Woman to rise through the ranks of Assistant Professor to Associate Professor to Full Professor in the College of Education,
First recipient of the Women of Color Award, President’s Commission on Women’s Issues
Professor
Department of Counseling, Higher Education, & Special Education
College of Education

Sharon Fries-Britt is a Professor of Higher Education in the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education. Dr. Fries-Britt’s research examines the experiences of high achieving Black individuals, underrepresented minorities in STEM, and issues of race, equity, and diversity. The National Science Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, and the National Society of Black Physicists have funded and supported her research. She is a member of the American Institutes of Physics National Task Force to Elevate African American Representation and a faculty co-lead and co-author of the recently published ACE report “Speaking Truth and Acting with Integrity Confronting Challenges of Campus Racial Climate.” Dr. Fries-Britt has consulted extensively with colleges and universities, foundations, governmental agencies, national organizations, and private industry on issues of race, equity, diversity, and leadership. Recently, she was selected as a 2019-2020 Distinguished Scholar-Teacher.